|
|
12-16-2008, 03:41 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 512
Liked 3,820 Times in 477 Posts
|
|
I have been keeping my eye on a commercial 1917 at a local shop, made a move on it today with some trade goods. It doesn't have the original grips, has some Magna's from the 70's, but otherwise it is in good shape. It has some holster wear, and an odd bit of pitting underneath the muzzle, but as I will be using it as a shooter, those issues won't bother me. I think the larger magna's should make it easier to shoot, I once had a military 1917 and found in challenging to shoot with the small issue grips. Here's a pic:
The serial number is 181398, anyone have an idea as to how old this revolver is?
I think I will try handloading some .45 Auto Rim for this revolver, anyone have a pet load they want to share?
Thanks,
Canoeguy
|
12-16-2008, 03:41 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 512
Liked 3,820 Times in 477 Posts
|
|
I have been keeping my eye on a commercial 1917 at a local shop, made a move on it today with some trade goods. It doesn't have the original grips, has some Magna's from the 70's, but otherwise it is in good shape. It has some holster wear, and an odd bit of pitting underneath the muzzle, but as I will be using it as a shooter, those issues won't bother me. I think the larger magna's should make it easier to shoot, I once had a military 1917 and found in challenging to shoot with the small issue grips. Here's a pic:
The serial number is 181398, anyone have an idea as to how old this revolver is?
I think I will try handloading some .45 Auto Rim for this revolver, anyone have a pet load they want to share?
Thanks,
Canoeguy
|
12-16-2008, 04:03 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: I'm here, you're not
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 143
Liked 660 Times in 229 Posts
|
|
Congrats on the commercial model.
I don't have a 1917 but I have a 625 that likes 5.0 grains of ww231 and a 200 lead swc. It's a light load, not very fast and more than reasonably accurate.
__________________
Lynnie, Professional Pest
|
12-16-2008, 05:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SINTRULL RKINSAW
Posts: 828
Likes: 36
Liked 84 Times in 51 Posts
|
|
What's not to love about a 45? Can't help ya w/date. Enjoy...
__________________
Caveat venditor.
|
12-16-2008, 07:00 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 1,586
Liked 4,086 Times in 595 Posts
|
|
Canoeguy,
VERY nice!! You got a good one there. Sorry I had to run out so quickly today, would have loved to hang around to chat.
Your model 1917 was shipped May of 1930.
Linda
SWCA #1965
Here's a pic of mine:
__________________
Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245
|
12-16-2008, 08:06 PM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 25,392
Likes: 9,071
Liked 48,919 Times in 9,306 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Your model 1917 was shipped May of 1930.
|
Hi Linda,
How do you know, please?
__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett
|
12-16-2008, 08:14 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 1,586
Liked 4,086 Times in 595 Posts
|
|
Lee,
I had seen that same 1917 awhile back and had asked Roy about it. I was holding out for a military WWI one.
Linda
__________________
Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245
|
12-16-2008, 08:16 PM
|
|
Administrator
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 25,392
Likes: 9,071
Liked 48,919 Times in 9,306 Posts
|
|
Thanks, Linda. I am surprised at how late it shipped.
I think they became real turkeys- selling poorly.
__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett
|
12-17-2008, 02:19 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 512
Liked 3,820 Times in 477 Posts
|
|
Linda,
Thanks for the info!
I am hoping to get it to the range today, and will order some .45 Auto-Rim cases today as well. Should be a fun revolver....
|
12-17-2008, 08:04 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Far Southwest Virginia
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 512
Liked 3,820 Times in 477 Posts
|
|
Took the commercial 1917 to the range this morning, what a blast to shoot! Shot some Federal 230 grain FMJ through it at 25 yards, two hand hold. 12 out of 12 hits in the black! No warm ups, just step to the line and slay the black...
It amazes me how well regulated the fixed sights are on Smith and Wesson revolvers. The above target was fired using a center hold.
The trigger was nicer than anything I have shot in recent memory. Probably about 3 pound trigger pull (single action), very smooth. I have not shot a lot of pre-war revolvers, now I know what they are talking about when they say these are some of the best quality S&W ever produced.
The Magna grips made for a firm hold on the revolver, as I anticipated. It would be nice to have some original grips, but I think I will keep these for shooting.
Now I need to find a nice leather holster for it, maybe something from El Paso Saddlery....
|
12-17-2008, 10:38 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SINTRULL RKINSAW
Posts: 828
Likes: 36
Liked 84 Times in 51 Posts
|
|
Dayum, that ole gal still knows how to put the hurtin' for certain on would be assailants.
__________________
Caveat venditor.
|
12-17-2008, 11:10 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
keep your eye out on "EBAY" for grips and holsters. I found both at great prices.
|
12-21-2008, 10:48 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NORTH CAROLINA.
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 280
Liked 1,077 Times in 241 Posts
|
|
very very nice i hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
__________________
God save the SOUTH
|
12-23-2008, 05:02 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SW Oregon
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Nice! It's also good that it shoots to point of aim with hardball. I have one of these Commercials, shipped in 1926. It shoots 10" groups at 10 yards with hardball! I went down to 185 gr. Silvertips, and it shoots to point of aim, and decent grouping. Each one is different, it seems. Enjoy that nice gun!
MikeyL
|
12-23-2008, 05:29 PM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,157 Times in 7,409 Posts
|
|
If that group isn't too impressive, recall that GI - issued M-1911 Colts also weren't especially accurate.
Another ammo brand (try several)and some practice will probably improve those groups.
I'm sure that the Magna grips are a major help. Colt had a better grip on their version of the M-1917, although Smiths were better finished and generally shot more to the sights. And S&W's hold cylinder timing far better than do Colts.
Either M-1917 will hold groups that were "minute of German." I know that many were also used in WW II and would hit a (smaller) Jap with lethal effect.
The late Bill Jordan told me that he carried a M-1917 S&W while leading Marines on missions against Jap pillboxes on Pacific islands. He relied mainly on a 12 ga. shotgun, but he trusted the revolver more than the .45 auto.
T-Star
P.S. Check Elmer Keith's classic, "Sixguns" for some useful accuracy tips with M-1917 guns. Especially if you want to use lead bullets...but keep in mind the age of these guns, and don't load on the warm side. I think one classic load with Unique is marginal in these old guns.
|
06-11-2014, 03:42 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Fairhope, Alabama
Posts: 58
Likes: 2
Liked 41 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
With a commercial load , auto or rim, what would be the "safest" plinking brand/load to shoot for these older revolvers?
|
06-11-2014, 05:09 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 434
Likes: 150
Liked 582 Times in 218 Posts
|
|
For what it's worth, I use 4.5 grains of Hodgdon Clays behind a Berry's plated 230 gr. round nose in my 1917. It has been with 3 generations in 3 wars - WW1 with my Grandfather, WW2 with my Dad, and Vietnam with me. The barrel is somewhat pitted, but it still shoots well, and the sights are regulated for the 230 gr. ball load.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|